The fray without fear

He watched the chargers put through their paces in the walking yard and watched them take their running-exercise underneath the riders that used them most frequently. He wondered which one to choose but found himself returning to one magnificent chestnut charger. He handled his hocks and weighed well his withers, assessing his strength, how he might carry a heavy-armoured knight, whether the horse would hesitate at a headlong charge, or follow his rider's urging to enter the fray without fear, and yet rest quietly when battle was done, taking shelter in the shade when needed. In the end the mount that pleased him most was one Carecastlu.

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Gawain chooses the horse Carecastlu. Enter the fray: Sir Gawain and the Green Maiden

Image: Tapestry representation of St Eligius, patron saint of horses.